We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsy Marshall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsy , appreciate you joining us today. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?
Yes I do manage my own social media, as a small artist and business owner I feel like it is important for me to have full control of my social media. It is an important part of my practice because I am always selling through my Instagram and attempting to have a conversation with my viewers. I want to keep the connections and relationships I am forming with the humans I met in person at vending events to the online relationship too. Not only is social media a great way to connect to my viewers but also with other artists. The art world is small and the glass world even smaller so social media is a great way we can support each other and see what is happening within the gallery world or vending world. Another reason I do my own social media is to have the ability to be multifunctional, I am an artist that sells jewelry and home decor as well as large scaled sculptures and installations. With the complete control I am able to think about my images, how to properly photoshop and use my own personal visual aesthetics to weld the best results. The best advice or insights I have is to stay true to yourself, it’s so easy to get sucked into the deep world of social media. But as long as you can find what visuals help your artwork the best then you’ll be able to navigate the amazing but weird world of social media. I am usually paying attention to what the next trends are or what is happening but I have the ability to decide myself if it fits my sculpture or artwork. And be sure to have fun with it! I try my best to have a mix of serious and silly!
Lindsy , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Lindsy Marshall and I am a 3D artist who mainly focuses on glass sculpture. I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2017, it is here where I found my passion for glass and the deep questions of mysticism and material studies. I am intrigued by the process of glass creation; what the raw materials are to create such a gorgeous material and how many different processes can result in unique results. I would describe myself as an investigator of curiosities within glass. Focusing on the macabre with the connection between nature and sculpture. Her work highlights the mundane, the unwanted and the focuses on the cycles of life all around us After graduating, as any artist I realized I had to wear many different hats to create my own business and artistic path. I had the honor of participating in the Worcester Center for Crafts residency as well as showcasing my work with Bullseye Glass in 2018 and Glass Arts Society “Connections” showcase in 2023. While I was creating my own voice outside of college; I had worked with many different studios around the greater Boston area assisting other artists in the hot shop, teaching different glass techniques and classes. Teaching has become a large part of my practice, I learn so much more about the material as I work with others and see how everyone reacts and creates so differently. For the past couple summers I have taught the high school student program with Snow Farm Craft School and it has been one of the best experiences as a teacher and artist. As any 3D artist knows how important equipment and access is, these opportunities have allowed me to create a line of home décor and jewelry I call Memoriam Vials as well as expanding on my sculptures and installations. For me it has been important to keep creating lots of different types of glass artwork, to keep my brain questioning and excited.
Memorial Vials is my favorite project and a line of home décor and jewelry made from borosilicate glass. It is this project that I work with the most to create a steady income avenue and participate in craft markets around Boston. Memoriam vials is a series that questions both creation and destruction; capturing moments within our lives. Encapsulating organic material and highlighting the precious little details that make up the whole. You can find encased bugs, bones, flowers, and shells, a bit of everything unique and special within glass tubes to hang in your home or wear everyday!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being an artist or creative is the community. Being an artist and small business owner brings a lot of different people together where we end up sharing ideas, techniques and becoming friends. My favorite parts are when I am at markets with lots of other vendors and we are able to boost each other up with honest compliments. Being able to share my “weird” art with other artists and with every day humans is an honor. To be able to hear what everyone’s first reaction is and what your art reminds them of is a unique power. Something so special about the connection and the community with the art world!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The particular missing that is driving my creative journey is the unknown. Within the glass world everything seems to follow is very specific boundaries and rules. What brings me the most joy within my practice is to question; to create lots of different series that play with the raw materials of glass and go against the rules of glass creation. I think this has allowed me to create pieces that don’t necessarily look like glass all the time and I love that ability of questioning
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lindsymarshallart.com
- Instagram: @lindsymarshallglass